‘THE GEISHA.’

Evening Star, Issue 111556, 15 February 1900, Page 2

‘THE GEISHA.’

It has taken exactly three years for this world-famed comic opera to roach local playgoers. During that lime reports as to its tunefulness, quaialners, and originality have reached us, and it is doubtful if over any pieco was bo eagerly locked forward to. Theatregoers have been indebted to Mr Pollard’s energy in the past for many excellent productions ; in fact, if it were not for him it is doubtful if we would over have seen ‘ The Gay Parfaisnne,’ ‘ The French Maid,’ ‘The Belle of New York,’ and many other celebrated works. We certainly would not have seen ‘ The Geisha,’ as tire “Royal Comics” have been disbanded, and when reorganised this opera wdl not be in the repertoire. Some time ago a Northern critic took umbrage at Mr Pollard securing the Nov Zealand rights of all tho modern succcssea, his contention being i bat, owing to this, vve would never see any ot the English performers who were brought out lo Australia to play the parts. That he was wrong to-night's performance proves, as we will be introduced to no less than three artistes who were not only the Amtrah.an but the English originals of the characters prayed by them. Another feature of the periormanca will be th?«t every dress, pioperty, and scene as used in tho Melbourne and Sydney productions will be seen hero to-nigno. Local playgoers are regarded as being hard to pieu.se, but as they are also famed for their appreciation of anything really good there can only bo one result of the “ popular Pollard” season.